Extra police on patrol to deter sex crime attacks

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EXTRA police will be on patrol in Redditch Town Centre over the next two weeks as part of efforts to reduce serious sexual crime.

The Safe Night Out campaign was launched last Friday (July 13) and officers will be speaking to young people on their way out for the night to encourage them not to drink too much, stay in control and look after their friends.

At the end of the night they will also be around to ensure women know who they are leaving a club with while ensuring those who have had too much to drink are put into taxis and get home safely.

Pubs and clubs are supporting the campaign. Research shows young people aged between 13 and 24 are more likely to become victims of serious sexual offences between 9pm and 3am on Friday and Saturdays nights and the number of rapes and serious sexual offences increase between June and August.

Det Insp Callie Bradley said: "While this campaign is primarily targeted at ensuring women drink sensibly and get home safely, I would also like to remind young men that sex without consent is rape.

"It is up to the man to make sure a woman consents before intercourse takes place and any man who does not do this can expect to be arrested and face the consequences.

"While we want young people to enjoy themselves during a night out, it is important that they take responsibility for their actions so they don't wake up with regrets in the morning."

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